Nike Nike Thinks Its New Shoe Can Help Break the 2-Hour Marathon Mark John Kell Nike just unveiled a shoe designed specifically to break the two-hour marathon mark. The shoe is part of the company's big "moonshot," to get the marathon world record down to under two hours, which was announced late last year. (That current world record time stands at 2:02:57, a feat achieved by Kenya's Dennis Kimetto at the Berlin Marathon in 2014.) To achieve this, Nike ( nke ) has signed up three elite runners, Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia and Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea, for the 2-hour marathon project it is calling "Breaking2." To be clear, this attempted feat truly is a "moonshot." Runner's World crunched the numbers a few years ago to try to figure out when a sub two-hour marathon could occur and it estimated it might not happen until 2075 based on how the record has fallen in recent decades. Nike is undeterred, however. To make "Breaking2" a reality, Nike's in-house team of experts have honed in on advances in footwear and apparel design .

Their efforts are showcased in the Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite, a new running shoe custom-made for the three Nike-endorsed athletes currently training on a fixed loop in Italy . While the Nike Zoon Vaporfly Elite won't be available for retail, the company is bringing some of its new technological features to the masses. In early June, Nike will launch a slate of new shoes it says are most ideal for marathon racing and training. The marquee shoe is the $250 Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%, which Nike says is both lighter and more efficient than other shoes it has previously developed for racing. The midsole foam in that shoe is about a third of the weight of a standard ethylene vinyl acetate, or EVA, yet purportedly returns 13% more energy to the athlete. In shoe development, a lighter shoe typically returns less energy. "People are always asking, a shoe can't make you faster?" said Nike running footwear director Bret Schoolmeester in a recent interview with Fortune . "But we are happy to say that it can based on this project."

Nike likes to think big picture when it comes to its running-related projects, a category that generated $5 billion in revenue for the most recent fiscal year. In the past, technological developments have been tied to the Olympics, such as when the company launched Lunarlite foam for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and Flyknit technology four years later in London. In both cases, the initial concept was designed specifically for elite athletes, before being made available to consumers. Other shoes in the company's latest running line include the $150 Nike Zoom Fly (which is intended for regular training) and the $120 Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34. Pegasus is a popular running shoe that Nike has sold for 34 years but continuously updates. Schoolmeester said the line's development process relied on insights from elite athletes running indoors on treadmills (for more extensive data-driven research) as well as outside (for feedback from athletes about what was working and what wasn't).

The main goal was to design a shoe that's light, but has the support more typical in a shoe used for heavy training. "We can make a shoe that's zero grams—it is your bare foot," he said. "But as we continued to refine [the shoe], we felt the benefits of having this cushion outweighed any benefit of taking more weight away."running shoe reviews fall 2014The right shoes gave Cinderella a one-way ticket to the good life. cheap nike shoes for babyFor weight lifters, choosing the right shoes may just be the ticket to better lifts. best walking shoes tennisLacing up that perfect pair (or ditching the shoes entirely) is often a personal preference, and varies depending on the frequency and dedication of that individual. But one thing holds true for any lifter, from the weekend warrior to the guy who closes down the gym every night: Not every shoe is fit for the job.

Read on to see whether or not your current kicks make the cut and why. Photo by Lisa Goulet Training for a 5K in high heels is probably a bad idea. But what might not be such common knowledge is that cushion-soled shoes (generally worn for running, walking, tennis, or basketball) don’t always make the best foot companions when it comes to lifting weights. Soft, compressible soles were designed to absorb impact while running, jumping, and cutting side-to-side. But when it’s time for weight training (think deadlifts, squats, and presses), lifters need their feet to create a strong, stable base. This allows the heels and midfoot to drive into the floor to make those glutes and hamstrings work more efficiently . (Also Check Out: 20 Ways to Kickstart Your Strength Training) When wearing compressible soles, the shoe absorbs much of the energy required to complete the movement. These types of shoes also may cause issues such as rising up on the toes (causing your body to move forward), ankle instability, and uneven weight distribution.

Don’t tiptoe out of the weight room just yet. While choice of footwear will depend on the frequency, style, and dedication of the lifter, there are a few essentials to look out for: Checklist sound easy enough? With the help of our Greatist Experts, we got the lowdown on a few better options for your feet. Ready to play matchmaker for your feet? Below are four of the most popular footwear options to help you get the most out of your lifts, from head to toe. Photo: Vibram FiveFingers Including Vibram FiveFingers, New Balance Minimus, Nike Free, Reebok Reflex, and Adidas Adizero, minimalist shoes do away with thick insoles and arch support, and feature a zero-drop sole, wide toe box, and a level of flexibility that allows for more natural foot movement. The idea behind the lightweight design is to create a more biomechanically efficient movement. That means the feet and legs are in a position to provide stability and control, enhanced proprioception (the feeling of being grounded or oriented in space), and equal ground contact with the heel and forefoot during movement (the ideal foot placement for lifting) .

strong Wearing these shoes requires a certain amount of dorsiflexion and plantarflexion (read: range of motion in the ankle, foot, and toes). Because of this, breaking in the shoes very important. To transition safely, try spending short durations of time (begin with about 10 to 15 minutes three times a day) wearing the shoes around the house. Once the shoes are sufficiently broken in (timing will vary from person to person), you’ll be ready to begin wearing minimalists for longer intervals of time, including at the gym. Photo by Lisa Goulet Named after a famed basketball star, Chuck Taylor All-Stars by Converse are one of the most successful selling basketball shoes in history. Coincidently, according to EliteFTS founder and strength coach Dave Tate in his article “Squat 900 Pounds,” the flat soles and sturdy side construction (where the two outside shoe flaps meet the sole) is strong enough to push out against without rolling over the sole or tearing the shoe. Hoops aside, these flat-soled shoes have been known to work well for a variety of lifts, including wide stance or low bar squats, deadlifts, and Pendlay rows .

strong Greatist Expert, training consultant, and powerlifter Jordan Syatt recommends the high top style in these shoes because they seem to provide more support at the ankles, which can be helpful when "spreading the floor" while squatting or deadlifting. Bonus: At $50-$55 a pop, there’s no breaking the bank for a pair of these old school sneaks. As the name suggests, weightlifting shoes can be a solid choice for individuals who plan to practice mostly Olympic-style lifts (think: high-bar squats, power cleans, jerks, snatches, front squats, and overhead squats). Olympic shoes have a .5-1 inch raised wooden or plastic composite sole with a rubber bottom to prevent sliding. The raised heel makes it easier to achieve greater depth while keeping the chest up in these lifts by keeping the hips further forward during the movement. Some lifts, such as deadlifts and bent over rows, may be more difficult to perform while in the forward lean position because the lifter is placed too far out in front of the bar.

If the Shoe Fits: Since weightlifting shoes are only used during specific lifts, at $79-$200 (or more) per pair, they may not be cost-effective for the average lifter. Greatist Expert and fitness and performance coach Matt McGorry says the specialized shoes are only worth the investment “if you're training with maximal loads, [or if] Olympic lifting is a big part of your programming.” Still, new research suggests they can be beneficial for even average gym goers. In a study comparing weightlifting shoes to running shoes during the back squat, researchers found weightlifting shoes may offer an advantage for those who are prone to a forward trunk lean during this particular lift . Photo by Jordan Shakeshaft Sometimes the feet can use a little “free” time. The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons which work together to keep your body balanced and mobile. Stuff them into shoes all day, and proper foot mechanics can sometimes get out of whack.

Athletic consultant and strength expert Martin Rooney is known as the “barefoot training guy” because he trains many of his athletes shoeless during specific drills and exercises. Rooney believes when the foot proprioception and mobility directly relates to other athletic abilities such as running and cutting. The Fine (Foot)print: Those who suffer poor foot and/or ankle flexibility may find it uncomfortable to go bare. Always consult with an experienced medical professional first before deciding to ditch the kicks. If given the go-ahead, be sure to introduce barefoot training slowly over time. Begin with bodyweight movements barefoot, such as lunges and squats, before introducing a load. And for those training in commercial gyms: Ask permission before removing those shoes. Some gyms ban barefoot training for sanitation and/or safety purposes. Not even the toughest feet can withstand the impact of a 45-pound plate when it’s dropped. In the end, choosing the right shoes for weightlifting may just come down to personal preference.